Florence’s Woolston, Frappolli set for recognition at Scholar Athlete Dinner
Is John Woolston lucky to have Joe Frappolli as a head coach, or is Frappolli lucky to have Woolston as a player?
According to The Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, they are fortunate to have each other as both are being honored at the 57th Annual George Wah Scholar-Leader-Athlete Dinner. Woolston is the Florence High student-athlete honoree, while Frappolli will receive the Hank Johns Coach Award for the first time since 2012.
The dinner is Mar. 10, 4 p.m., at the Princeton Marriott. Players from 22 schools will be honored with $1,000 scholarships, while three special winners will receive the $5,000 Jack Stephan Scholarship, the $2,500 Ron Rick Sr. Scholarship, and the $1,500 Ed Cook Scholarship.
For tickets or ad book information, contact Ron Hoehn at 609-731-6610.
Other Colonial Valley Conference players being honored are Nick Campbell (Allentown), James Kim (Ewing), Eddie Fennell IV (Hamilton West), Michael Quigg (Hightstown), Steven Doldy (Hopewell Valley), Krystian Hajduczka (Lawrence), Evan Collins (Notre Dame), Robbie Bennett (Nottingham), Connor Coffee (Princeton), Paul Milo (Robbinsville), Tim Toomer (Steinert), Aaron Bennett (Trenton) and Brian Zhong (West Windsor-Plainsboro).
Mercer County prep school honorees are Malcolm Brunson (Hun), Diassa Diakite (Lawrenceville), David Harris (Peddie) and Brandon West (Pennington). Area school athletes being recognized will be Jack Parker (Bordentown), John Woolston (Florence), Connor Healy (New Egypt) and John Stothoff (North Hunterdon).
Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri will receive the Robert F. Casciola Distinguished American Award, George Kloutis will receive the Contribution to Youth Football and Jack Rice will receive the Youth Scholar Award. Charlie Thompson will get the George O’Gorman Contribution to Amateur Football Award, Abe Johnson is the Jack Millard Officials Award winner and the Nick Gusz Good Guy Award goes to Sharron Grady. Other honors will go to Brian Pitts (Eunice Kennedy Shriver Champion), Max Busca (TCNJ’s Earl H. Dean Scholar-Leader-Athlete), Tom Johnson (Princeton University Judge Arthur Lane Scholar-Leader-Athlete) and Santuzza Oilers (Tony Persichilli Meritorious Service Award).
Woolston served as a two-year captain and was named first-team All-Conference at both linebacker and defensive back. He was first-team All-Academic defensive back, a four-year letter-winner and twotime Scholar-Athlete Award winner. This year, he was among the Flashes top two players in tackles, assists, first hits, tackles for loss, interceptions and quarterback pressures.
“Many players on a veteran team contributed to our successful season,” Frappolli said. “But probably none contributed more in all facets of the game – offense, defense and special teams – than John Woolston. He ranks in the top three of any Scholar-Leader-Athletes we have ever nominated for this prestigious honor. From the time John came into the program as a freshman playing varsity, even though smaller in stature, one could clearly see that he was something special.
“He excelled as an unselfish offensive player as a wing back and receiver. He was a very smart player who could play just about anywhere on offense or defense. He had the ability to be a quarterback and execute the offense. A ferocious blocker, he did whatever needed to be done for the team to succeed. As talented as he was on offense, he wreaked total havoc on defense, causing fumbles and even recovering a few. Besides all that, he was an excellent long snapper, one of our top performers covering kickoffs and punts on specialty teams, punted for a 37.6 average and kicked off when needed. He is the best of the best.”
Woolston ranks 18th in a class of 107 with a 4.1 grade point average and has been on the National Honor Society the past three years. He was the Senior Grade Elks Student of the Month, served as 9thgrade class president, was a representative speaker at Freshman Orientation and served as a Stoneman Douglas Assembly Speaker. His volunteer work has included American Legion Post 194, Florence Recreation Basketball, team fundraising, school fundraising, clothing drives, the Riverfront School Basker Bonanza, food service, endof-year banquet preparation and the Joe Frappolli Football Camp. He also took part in the Florence Township Annual Christmas Caroling/Dinner and Christmas tree lighting.
“As a ninth-grade student, John was respectful, focused and determined to be successful in all that he did,” Florence history teacher Francis Roberson said. “Over his four years with us, that respect, focus and determination have become an example for those around him. He is unwavering in his character and motivation.
“There is nothing schools need more than young leaders that show shining examples of what true citizenship is. John will be missed because he brought that to us everyday. There is no doubt John will be successful. He does not know the meaning of failure.”
Nor does his coach, the ageless wonder who completed his 45th year leading the Flashes football program. Frappolli showed no signs of slowing down as he guided Florence to a 7-4 record, the WJFL Freedom Division championship (with a 5-0 record) and a first-round state playoff win over Middlesex. It was the 22nd league crown for Frappolli’s teams, to go along with five state titles. He is legendary for instilling a hard-nosed edge to each and every team – a blue collar work ethic reflective of the town they live in.
Known simply as “Frap”, the coach preaches family amongst his team, and practices what he preaches. Much of Florence’s success stems from the dedication and longevity of a home grown coaching staff that includes his son, Joe J. Frappolli, Nick Lubrano, Steve Ordog, Don Nemeth and LeJominick Washington. Former players and volunteers who help out include brother John J. Frappolli, son-in-law Fred Dunphy, Dan Hegarty, Cesar Pereda, Sandy Cosenzo, Tony Luyber, Jordan Stockton, Ross O’Neill, James Baxter, Peppi Pichette and Randy Belknap. Frappolli praises them for their loyalty, time, commitment, dedication and expertise.
As usual, Frappolli did more than just coach football last fall, as his team gave back to the community in various ways. Over the years, Florence players have been involved in projects such as the Read Across America program at Roebling Elementary School; involvement with holiday giving programs that his wife Donna and other staff members sponsor to help those less fortunate; the Thanksgiving Food for Needy program where cheerleaders and football players deliver turkeys and food baskets to needy in the community; the Annual Holiday Gift Giving and Caroling Christmas Party to bring cheer to those in need; certificates and food baskets to members of Florence Township School and community as a whole. In the summer, Frappolli and his staff volunteer to run the Joe Frappolli Youth Football Camp.
Follow Rich Fisher on twitter @fish4scores